Today's Expositor's Quote is the last from a letter John Newton wrote to a fellow pastor, encouraging him to contend for the faith with the right spirit:

Be upon your guard against admitting anything personal into the debate. If you think you have been ill treated, you will have an opportunity of showing that you are a disciple of Jesus, who "when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not." . . . The wisdom that is from above is not only pure, but peaceable and gentle; and the want of these qualifications, like the dead fly in the pot of ointment, will spoil the savor and efficacy of our labors. If we act in a wrong spirit, we shall bring little glory to God, do little good to our fellow creatures, and procure neither honor nor comfort to ourselves. If you can be content with showing your wit, and gaining the laugh on your side, you have an easy task; but I hope you have a far nobler aim, and that, sensible of the solemn importance of gospel truths, and the compassion due to the souls of men, you would rather be a means of removing prejudices in a single instance, than obtain the empty applause of thousands. Go forth, therefore, in the name and strength of the Lord of hosts, speaking the truth in love; and may he give you a witness in many hearts that you are taught of God, and favored with the unction of his Holy Spirit.

[How tempting it is to show our cleverness, to make our supporters laugh, and to seek empty applause! And how easily these dead flies can spoil our entire witness of the love of Christ, proving that we are not taught of God! Lord, enable us to be bold in our presentation of the truth, and simultaneously to love those who fight against that truth -- Coty]